Though the reasons for staying home vary from voter to voter, there is one common theme. Most voters think that presidential elections are the only elections that matter. However, these off-year or midterm elections are not only as important as the presidential election, they are often more important. This year’s midterm elections will decide the balance of power in the federal government and in many states. Those elected will determine policy for years to come. While all Americans should want a voice in these important issues, African Americans have more to lose if they don’t participate. Read on to learn why African Americans should vote in this year’s midterm elections.

How the Constitution Works – A Quick Overview

Most people focus on presidential elections because they do not understand the U.S. Constitution. While most believe that the federal government is supreme in all matters, this is far from the case. Of course, the United States Constitution is the law of the land. Therefore, all state and local laws must comply with the federal Constitution. But the Constitution gives the federal government very few powers. Under the Constitution, states control of those matters not controlled by the federal government.

Because states retain control of non-federal matters, they have extraordinary power. States pass laws regarding criminal law, family law, business law, educational law, contract law, insurance law and other areas that affect most people’s day-to-day lives. While the U.S. Constitution remains the supreme law of the land, the federal government will not interfere unless state laws violate the U.S. Constitution. The vast majority of state laws do not create Constitutional concerns. So, midterm elections provide a chance for voters to determine who will create these important state laws.

Federal Issues in the Midterm Elections

Though we will not elect a president this year, we will elect a new Congress. This year, every seat in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate are up for grabs. So, this midterm election offers a chance to change the direction of Congress.

Changing Congress is key to creating American progress. The Constitution gives the president three primary powers: commanding the military, appointing federal officials, and enforcing federal laws. By contrast, the Constitution gives Congress no less than eighteen powers. Moreover, under the Constitution, many presidential appointments – such as Supreme Court justices and high Cabinet officials – must be confirmed by the Senate. So, while the president gets more attention, in our system, Congress has more power.

Congress’ key powers include taxing, spending, and regulating interstate commerce. While these topics may seem boring or unimportant, they affect the lives of millions of Americans. Programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP (food snaps), are funded with federal money. Many public schools receive federal funds. Also, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – the law that prohibits racial discrimination in employment and public accommodations – was passed using Congress’ power to regulate commerce. In short, Congress’ powers – when used for good – have helped the Black community move forward. With good Congressional leadership, we may be able to move forward again.

State Issues in the Midterm Elections

Though state governments are often overlooked, they wield considerable power. As mentioned, under the constitution, the powers not given to the federal government belong to the states. Therefore, states have the authority to create laws that affect millions. Many of these laws affect the African American community.

States create laws that affect nearly every facet of life. One key area of state control is voting rights. States create the voting districts that send representatives to Congress. States also decide whether options such as early voting will be offered. It is also up to the state to decide whether felons will be able to vote upon release. States also have wide control in criminal law. Issues such as the death penalty are decided at the state level. Moreover, each state can decide what is criminal within its borders. States also get to determine how their jails and prisons are operated. Finally, states alone decide how public schools are funded and how much public school teachers are paid.

This year, 36 states will elect new governors. While all governor’s races matter, African Americans in two states should make a special effort to vote. If Floridians vote for Andrew Gillum, he will become the state’s first African American governor. Similarly, if Stacey Abrams wins the Georgia governor’s race, she will become the first African American and first woman to hold that post. African American voters could literally make history in these elections.

Local Issues in Midterm Elections

Federal and state governments control a number of issues, but local governments also make decisions that affect millions. The police officer who directs traffic, the teacher at your child’s school, and the people who provide your utilities are all local government employees. This fall, voters will have the opportunity to choose those who will run their cities, counties, and school boards.

For African American voters, local government is particularly important. Most African Americans are dismayed at the deaths of Black youth at the hands of police. Worse, prosecutors often decline to press the issue in these cases. However, most police officers are local government employees. Prosecutors are local officials. While the frustration African Americans feel is justified, voting in local elections provides an opportunity to decide who will enforce the laws in our communities and adjust the balance of power.

For nearly a century after the Civil War, states kept African Americans from voting. Thousands of African Americans marched, protested, and died to ensure that future generations would have a voice in this government. Every African American of voting age owes these fighters a great debt. The best way to repay that debt is to vote.

The African American Attorney Network is committed to providing the Black community with up-to-date information about legal issues. Follow The Network for more news and analysis about issues that matter to the African American community.

It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent
blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS
feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will
talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

999330 874529Aw, this became an incredibly nice post. In idea I would like to set up writing like that moreover – taking time and actual effort to create a terrific article but what / items I say I procrastinate alot by way of no indicates appear to get something completed. 913317

192232 745553Im not confident why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my finish? Ill check back later and see if the difficulty still exists. 782658

936938 987277Spot lets start work on this write-up, I really believe this amazing site requirements a lot far more consideration. Ill apt to be once again to read a fantastic deal more, numerous thanks for that information. 76542

811469 722462Oh my goodness! a great write-up dude. Thanks a lot Nonetheless We are experiencing trouble with ur rss . Do not know why Not able to sign up to it. Possibly there is anybody getting identical rss issue? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 305807

After research a few of the blog posts in your website now, and I actually like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site checklist and will probably be checking back soon. Pls try my web page as effectively and let me know what you think.

Good day I am so glad I found your weblog, I
really found you by error, while I was looking on Digg for something else,
Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a tremendous post and a all
round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I
don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more,
Please do keep up the fantastic work.

Hi terrific website! Does running a blog like this require
a large amount of work? I have absolutely no understanding
of programming however I was hoping to start my own blog in the
near future. Anyways, if you have any suggestions
or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off topic however I simply wanted to ask.
Thank you!

My partner and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought
I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to finding out about your web page yet again.

Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some
advice from an established blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty
quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to
begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions?